Aquatic amusement device



Dec. 6, 1938. J. G. JOHNSON AQUATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Aug. 28, 1936 \INVENTOR. HNJoN JZHN 6', 75 I $462k ATTORNEY-S.

Patented Dec. 6, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFlcE.

AQUATIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE John G. Johnson, Tacoma, Wash.

Application August 28, 1936, Serial No. 98,343

1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in aquatic amusement devices and has reference more particularly to devices which are in the nature of floats, whereby a person may be sup-ported in the water. Also, which may be equipped with means whereby the supported person may propel the device through the water; it being the principal object of the invention to provide a device of the above character in the nature of a surf board and equipped for the support of the user below the level of the board as differentiated from those types of floats or devices which are designed for the support of a person upon them and out of the water.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a device as above stated wherein a support, or seat, is suspended from the board and the latter is provided with an opening through which the head and shoulders of the user may project when he is seated in the device. Also, to provide suitable hand or foot operated means whereby the user may propel the device through the water.

Other objects reside in the details of construction of the device, in the combination of parts employed, and in their mode of operation and use as will hereinafter be described.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I have provided the improved details of construction, the preferred forms of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, wherem Fig. 1 is an underside, plan view of the device in a preferred form of construction.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device, illustrating its use; a part thereof being shown in longitudinal section for purpose of better illustration.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged, cross sectional view illustrating one of the propelling paddles.

Fig. 4 is a side elevation, partly in longitudinal section, of a device equipped with paddle wheel propulsion devices.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a device of an alternative form, equipped with a suspending net for the user.

Referring more in detail to the drawing In a preferred form of construction, the present device comprises a flat board or float l, which, for the usual individual, would be approximately six feet long and two feet wide, with rounded opposite ends, as shown in Fig. 1, and provided centrally with an opening 2 of substantial dimensions, through which the user may lower himself into a support or seat suspended beneath the board.

The seat for the device, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, comprises aflat plate 3 fixed on a supporting board or bar 4 that extends lengthwise of the float, and is hingedly attached at its forward end, as at 5, centrally to the forward end portion of the float on the under side thereof. The bar 5 4 is inclined downwardly and rearwardly and is supported at its rear end by means of a tie bar, or link, 6 that is pivotally attached thereto, as at l, and which bar extends upwardly and slidably through an opening 8 in the board I just rear- 10 wardly of the large opening 2, and has a pin 10 extended through one of a series of openings ll therein; said pin being adapted to engage with the top surface of board I about the opening, and the openings H are spaced lengthwise of the bar 6, and by placing the pin in one closer to or farther from the lower end thereof, the support 3 may be raised or lowered relative to the board I.

When the device is in use, the user sits on the seat 3 with his shoulders located in the opening 2 in board I, as seen in Fig. 2. Any desired adjustment of bar 4 may be made to best accommodate the user, by a selective placement of pin 10 in an opening H of bar 6. The users legs extend forwardly along opposite sides of the bar 4, and this is equipped, toward its forward end, with a cross piece l2 serving as a foot rest.

For manual propulsion of the device by the user, there is provided two paddle frames I5 and l5a which are hingedly attached in transverse alinement to the under side of the board I near its forward end. These frames depend below the board and are adapted to be oscillated in a forward and rearward direction. Each paddle frame comprises parallel opposite side bars, l6l6, as seen in Fig. 3, joined across their lower ends by a bar [7. The upper ends of the side bars are turned outwardly, as at 18, and are pivotally contained in bearings l9 fixed to the board to permit of the oscillating action of the frames.

Hingedly mounted in each frame, to extend horizontally between the bars l6--l 6, are shutters 26 adapted to swing at their lower edges to an open position incident to the frame swinging forward in the water and to be automatically closed together by the water when the frame is swung rearwardly.

Pivotally attached to each frame spaced below its upper end, as at 25, is a pull rod 26. These two rods extend rearwardly and are slidably contained in supporting guides 21 attached to and depending from the board, and at their rear ends are equipped with suitable handles 28.

The device so constructed, the user, when seated on seat 3 with feet rested on cross piece I2,

as in Fig. 2, may grasp the handles 28 and manipulate the two paddle frames forwardly and rearwardly in a manner to propel the device forwardly through the water.

In Fig. 4 there has been illustrated an alternative type of means for propelling the device. This comprises one or more paddle wheels 30 supported on transverse axles 3| that are revoluble on supports transversely of the board. These paddle wheels, in a preferred arrangement, are mounted at opposite sides of the board adjacent the forward end of the opening 2, and on their inner ends the axles for the paddle wheels are equipped with cranks, as indicated at 32, whereby the wheels may be rotated. The wheels are so supported that only the lower portion thereof will be below the water level.

In Fig. 5 there has been illustrated an alternative form of support in the nature of a hammock or net 35. This is suspended below the board and encloses the opening 2. The user rests within the net as illustrated in Fig. 5, and the net may be provided with suitable openings through which the legs may be extended for operation of the propulsion paddles l5. In the arrangement here shown, each paddle is provided with suitable means, as designated at 35, within which the feet may be placed to provide an effective operating connection.

It is apparent that floats of this character may be made in various sizes and of various materials. Also, that the propulsion means may be of various kinds, without departing from the spirit of the invention. This device differs from most amusement means of this character in that the user is located in the water and below the board rather than on top of the board. Therefore, there is not the tendency to tip over, and by reason of the fact that the greater portion of the users body is in the water, it is possible to support him with a float of relatively small dimensions.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new therein and desire to secure by Letters Patent is An aquatic amusement device comprising a substantially flat float board of dimensions adequate to suitably support its user, and having an opening therethrough at approximately a medial point, a bar pivotally attached to the under side of the float at its forward end and inclined downwardly and rearwardly therefrom, a seat on the rearward end portion of the said bar, a transverse foot rest on the upper portion and a rigid support pivotally fixed to the rearward end of the inclined bar and having adjustable connection with the float whereby to suspend the lower end of the bar and serving as a back rest for the. user, and adapted to support the user with the upper portion of the body projecting through said float opening to a desired extent, propulsion devices operatively fixed to the float at its forward end, and means extending rearwardly therefrom and accessible to the person using the device for actuating the propulsion devices.

JOHN G. JOHNSON. 

